Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel

22 October | Main Conference, Exhibitions, Meetings

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  •  / Meeting Data Centre Power Through Clean Energy?

As data consumption surges across the globe, the power demands of data centres are rising at an unprecedented pace. With AI workloads, hyperscale facilities, and cloud proliferation intensifying this growth, the spotlight is on energy sustainability. Increasingly, data centres are expected not just to run efficiently, but to run clean, leveraging renewables or offsetting their emissions where direct use isn’t viable. In Saudi Arabia, where digital transformation meets bold sustainability targets, this challenge is especially urgent and full of opportunity.

Clean Power in Action: Renewable Energy Adoption

Powering a modern data centre can require as much energy as a small city. That’s why developers are turning to clean energy strategies tailored to the Kingdom’s climate and infrastructure ambitions.

  • Solar Power integration: AI data centers are increasingly exploring the use of efficient solar farms, both on-site and remote, to generate their own clean electricity.
  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): These systems allow operators to store surplus solar and manage energy loads more efficiently.
  • Grid partnerships: Collaboration with Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) enables hybrid energy sourcing and cleaner power contracts, supported by special tariffs for cloud and tech investors.

Offsets and Accountability: Balancing the Carbon Budget

For facilities unable to operate entirely on renewables, carbon offsetting remains a vital pathway to sustainability.

  • Carbon credits & RECs: Operators and tech companies are investing in high-quality carbon offset initiatives and renewable energy credits (RECs) due to the growth in AI and energy needs for data centres - such as afforestation and projects to neutralise unavoidable emissions.
  • Embedded ESG reporting: More clients are demanding real-time energy and emissions data. Providers that offer transparent tracking are seeing increased trust and preference.
  • Sustainability as procurement criteria: Green credibility is no longer a differentiator; it’s a requirement for public and enterprise contracts.
Construction Technology Confex KSA Conference

Greening the Backup: Low-Carbon Uptime Solutions

Backup power is critical to data centre continuity, but diesel generators are under scrutiny. The shift to clean backup alternatives is gaining ground.

  • Hydrogen fuel cell pilots: Select operators are exploring hydrogen-powered backup systems in line with the Kingdom’s hydrogen roadmap.
  • Hybrid generators & biofuels: Cleaner diesel alternatives and fuel-efficient systems are being tested for reliability and emissions reduction.
  • Grid-tied resilience: Some data centres are designing for lower backup dependence by integrating with more resilient, renewables-heavy grids. AI-powered software optimises energy use by balancing renewables, storage, and the grid, reducing waste and improving efficiency, while enabling smart, cost-effective energy buying.

Powering the Shift: Clean Energy Meets Resilience

Saudi Arabia’s Net Zero 2060 target and the Saudi Green Initiative are pushing data centres to embrace renewable power and energy storage. Powering data centres is a key concern for operators, particularly with the shift to energy-intensive facilities and increasing low-carbon demands from clients.

Energy Smarter by Design

Construction Technology Confex KSA Conference

Clean energy use is most effective when paired with thoughtful, energy-efficient design.

  • AI energy management: Artificial intelligence is not just consuming energy, it’s also helping to make data centers more efficient. Smart platforms and control systems optimise energy use in real time, aligning operations with clean power availability.
  • Modular power design: Scalability is baked into the design, allowing centres to add low-carbon capacity without reconfiguring core systems.
  • Future-proof architecture: Facilities are being designed to adapt to future energy technologies, such as microgrids and off-grid renewables.

Join the Clean Power Conversation at DCTC KSA 2025

Shape the future of the data centre built environment at Data Centre Technology ConFex KSA 2025.

Happening from 21–22 October 2025 at Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel, the event brings together regulators, developers, hyperscalers, and enterprise leaders shaping the Kingdom’s digital future.

Co-located with the 5th Construction Technology ConFex KSA, this is where smart, sustainable innovation meets the future of the data centre built environment, all under one roof.